Membership Committee Julianne Abendroth-Smith Greetings from the Membership Chair and Committee. As a society, ASB has maintained a membership of 500 – 600 members, annually. This year we have 500 members, with another 39 recently accepted for membership. Percentages within the five disciplines, as well as gender percentages are shown below. We are, as always, about half Engineering (50%), but with significant contributions from the Exercise and Health Sciences (18 and 15%, respectively). This past year we saw an increase in new memberships from Exercise Science, Health, and Biology. Students make up about 19% of the total membership, with a similar spread among the disciplines as the regular membership. Men outnumber women three to one, although our student membership, by gender, is two to one. D is c ip l in e
G ender
100
% Membership
80 60 40
Student applicants must use the same Membership Application Form and, in addition, must provide a letter from their advisor certifying student status. Students may list courses or special projects (titles only) related to biomechanics in lieu of publications. Research assistantships and other related experiences might be listed under employment history. Attendance at the annual meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics is not required for Student Members, but related conferences attended may be listed. The guidelines state the two criteria are expertise and involvement. This means we depend on our members to make this society happen. As an all-volunteer Executive Board and subcommittees, whether elected or appointed, it is the members who are responsible for the meetings, the newsletters, and the grants and awards offered by the Society. We do not accept people as members who do not demonstrate involvement in publishing, presenting or somehow disseminating their research, and we highly encourage prior (and continuing) attendance at the annual meetings. Often those turned down simply did not include the requested materials; these people are encouraged to reapply. Others are turned down for a variety of reasons; but the bottom line is we as a Society do not want be listed on someone’s vita if they are not an active member of our community. We believe it is an honor to be part of ASB, and it involves a commitment to Biomechanics and to the Society.
20 0 Bio
l ic a lo g
h cs alt mi He ono Erg
S Ex
nce c ie
En
in eer g in
g k Un
wn no
n Me
n me Wo
What does all this mean to us as a Society? We are down in membership from the previous year (12%). We are, however, within the range we have maintained over the past few years. We lose a good number of our student membership every year when it is time for them to switch to regular membership. We do make them reapply for regular membership. We also seem to lose more women than men in the regular membership. I do not have figures to compare our Society with other engineering based societies, but this is a concern for us. We never like to see our members become inactive or uninvolved. Any thoughts on this are much appreciated, for we would not like this to become a lasting trend. Making former students reapply for regular membership has been a concern. The one question I get asked most frequently is “Does ASB actually turn down potential members?” The answer is yes, we do. Unlike larger societies such as ACSM, we do turn down a small percentage of applicants.Guidelines for the Society state: The criteria for Regular Membership in the Society are 1) expertise in the field of biomechanics and 2) contributions to the Society. In addition to the specific information requested in the Membership Application Form, please provide a list of not more than ten of the most recent refereed scientific papers, abstracts, and book chapters in your area of interest. Professional employment history should also be documented by briefly listing relevant employment history. Applicants are also asked to list the most recent annual meetings of the American Society of Biomechanics attended. Recent graduates (be sure to provide date of degree) and applicants outside North American will be given special consideration.
Volume 16, No. 2
These guidelines were reviewed by the membership committee at the annual meeting in Toledo. I would like to hear from the membership about your opinions. Where should we stand on membership? Should we seek growth? Do we wish to continue being selective? Should both research and meeting attendance be required, suggested, or dropped? These are questions I would like to bring up at the midyear Board meeting, so if you have an opinion, please feel free to share it with me or any of the membership committee members. And since I have yet to do it, allow me to introduce the committee. I am Julianne Abendroth-Smith, Willamette University, (jabendro@willamette.edu), entering my second year as Membership Chair. Committee members include Dan Ferris, University of Michigan, (ferrisdp@umich.edu); Kevin Granata, Virginia Tech, (granata@vt.edu); Andrew Mahar, Childrens Hospital, San Diego, (amahar@chsd.org); and Darryl Thelen, University of Wisconsin, Madison, (thelen@engr.wisc.edu). So the bottom line. What can you do for the Society? One is to let the Society do something for you! Take advantage of the opportunities offered; apply for grants, suggest nominations for awards. In addition, encourage active members of the Biomechanics community to apply for membership and become involved in the Society. Encourage your students to become members. Former students, let go of your student membership and become regular members. I know there are more than a few of you out there still listed as students! Finally, volunteer yourself to serve on a committee (Contact Steve McCaw, Education Chair, Smccaw@ilstu.edu), or at the very least, plan on attending the next annual meeting, and coming to the business meeting during that meeting. Portland Oregon is in my neck of the woods, and we have so much to offer, both professionally at the meeting, and socially, after the meeting! Come check us out.
Page 9